I called and talked to Tom (not aware of last name) on the phone.
I explained we are in the process of building a house and just had our building permit approved to demolish the existing old house on the lot we purchased.
I further explained I am calling to obtain a quote (ballpark estimate) for a house of about 2,500 square foot heated space. I said we are looking for 8 inch CMU block construction and would appreciate their quote for both (1) doing the design for us from scratch or (2) endorsing someone else's plans to bring them up to FL building code requirements, since the city of Atlantic Beach Building Department requires that.
Tom told me that he ""does not want to deal with someone who wants to act as they own general contractor as this is a tough job to do"" and that ""general contractors charge a mark up fee for a reason"". He then told me that he prefers frame and not block construction exterior walls as they both have drawbacks - as if I don't know that already. Well, I suspect Tom wants to only ""deal"" with people who want to spend money without obtaining a quote first!!!, people who also don't have specific design requests (i.e. work with HIS plans and HIS design ideas). I already hired a retired general contractor as a consultant - it works out great for both of us - he does not want to do the work and just offer advice and I don't want to pay the full fee, as I am willing to do the work. Anyway, Tom pre-judged me - as I am a woman with a foreign accent and he was the typical WASP type in baby boomer age range (I suspect). I REALLY don't want to ""DEAL"" with Tom! :-)
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